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Green SheetFor a pdf version, click here: Green Sheet Below is the information contained therein as well:
INTRODUCTION TO CALIFORNIA LAW De Anza College – Social Science Division Stephanie Kain Ferrill, Esq. (408) 864-8999 x 3695 Fall Quarter 2011 Para 94 - 4 Units Webpage: http://www.deanza.edu/faculty/ferrillstephanie/
CLASSES: Tuesday & Thursday 12:30 pm – 2:20 pm
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday 11:45 am – 12:15 pm; L13 TEXTBOOK: Introduction to Law 4rd Ed., Hames & Ekern; Selected reading on the Internet. COURSE DESCRIPTION: Introduction and exploration of the California legal system, including organization, operation and major legal concepts; introduction to the Federal legal system as it operates in California; the role of the paralegal. ASSIGNMENTS: Both reading and writing assignments are required for this class. Some of the assignments will be done in class, others will be assigned as homework. All written homework assignments must be typed, numbered, all pages stapled together with your name on all pages. Unless specifically advised otherwise, all work must be your own. Absent, exceptional reasons, late papers are not accepted. If a student cannot attend a class during which a paper is due, the paper must be emailed or left in my mailbox PRIOR to beginning of class on the due date. (Instructor is sole judge of exceptional reasons.) At the instructors discretion, any student who fails to turn in two assignments or misses more than 3 classes will not receive a passing grade in the class. GRADING POLICY: The final grade is the cumulative number of percentage points each student achieves on the following exams and assignments, given the percentage weight as indicated:
Assignments 35% of final grade
Quiz & Final Exam 60% of final grade
(FINAL EXAM: Thursday 12/15/11 @ 11:30 a.m.)
Class participation 5% of final grade Grading scale: 100-99 = A+ 98–93 = A 92-90 = A- 89-87 = B+ 86-83 = B 82-80 = B- 79-76 = C+ 75-71= C 70-67 = D+ 66-62 = D 61-60 = D- 59-0 = F NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED, AND THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS. ATTENDANCE: Attendance is required. Class participation is encouraged. Class participation and attendance will be factored into the student’s final grade. A sign-in sheet will be provided at every class session and each student is required to sign in at every class. Drop Policy: If a student is present the first day of class and thereafter wishes to drop the course, the student must take responsibility for completing all paperwork. Instructor will not take care of this for the student. However, instructor reserves the right to drop any student who misses 2 classes without contacting the instructor or fails to turn in 2 consecutive assignments. There is no guarantee however, that the instructor will exercise this right to drop a student. If the student wishes to be sure that he is dropped from the class without penalty then it is up to the student to take all necessary steps. Failure to do so may result in the student receiving an “F” grade in the class.
POINTS TO REMEMBER:
Dropping the Class: Students who drop the class or stop attending MUST process the appropriate form(s) through the Admissions and Records office in order to avoid receiving an “F” in the class. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm the last day to drop the class and have the proper paperwork timely completed and submitted.
Cheating Policy: Cheating and/or plagiarism will be considered student misconduct. While collaboration on assignments is fine, any material turned in by a student MUST BE IN THE STUDENTS OWN WORDS (unless it is a properly cited quote), AND REPRESENT THEIR OWN WORK. All quotes, sentences and other material obtained through other resources, book, case law, statute, the internet, etc. must be properly identified and cited. If a student presents any plagiarized work as their own, they will be immediately dropped from the class with a failing gread. Additionally, if a student is caught cheating in any other way, they will be immediately dropped from the class with a failing grade and reported to the dean. Further discipline may occur.
Recording and Notes: Audio recording of the lectures is generally allowed, however students may not duplicate the recordings or duplicate and sell notes or records of the lecture(s). If a student is found to have duplicated and/or sold notes and lectures, they will be immediately dropped from the class and further discipline may occur.
Reasonable Accommodations: Please contact the college’s administration regarding any documented disabilities that require reasonable accommodations.
Cell Phones and Pagers: Cell phones, blackberries and other electronic devices must be turned off or on silent mode during the class.
Classroom Conduct: Students are expected to participate in class discussions. Everyone is expected to treat each other with respect and professionalism. Accordingly, rude and inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated in or around the class. Non-compliance will result in the student(s) being removed from the classroom until appropriate behavior has returned. Depending on the nature of the offense, further discipline may occur.
COURSE SYLLABUS & READING ASSIGNMENTS Introduction to Law 4th Ed., Hames & Ekern
Weeks 1 & 2 Chapter 1 Introduction to Law
Chapter 2 The U.S. Legal System
Chapter 3 The Courts and Legal Personnel
Weeks 2 & 3 Chapter 4 Finding the Law
Chapter 5 Using the Law
Week 4 Chapter 6 Constitutional Law
Weeks 5-6 Chapter 8 Family Law
Week 7 Chapter 9 Wills & Trusts
Chapter 10 Contract Law
Week 8 Chapter 14 Criminal Law & Juvenile Law
Week 9 Chapter 12 Civil procedure Before Trial
Chapter 13 Alternative Dispute Resolution
Weeks 10- 11 Chapter 15 Criminal Procedure Before Trial
Chapter 17 The Trial
Week 12 FINAL EXAM - Thursday, December 15th at 11:30 am
* All dates are APPROXIMTE - Instructor reserves the right to change these dates. |
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And by appointment. |
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